In a letter to the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee of the Senedd, Mr Crompton noted that the Welsh government had been in discussion with Green Man about potential sites for some time but he said "with more time the Welsh government could have undertaken greater due diligence before making any decision". 
"By buying Gilestone Farm when it did, the Welsh government accepted an avoidable financial risk, albeit one which officials have emphasised to us was, in their view, low and manageable," he says.
"And, in our view, if the Welsh government had concluded its consideration of Green Man's plans before taking any decision about buying or not buying the farm, the Welsh government's external communication of its actions could also then have been clearer."

He notes that the purchase was supported by an independent professional valuation but that "the Welsh government has accepted financial risks that would not have arisen if it had delayed a final purchase decision until after its full consideration of Green Man's plans, and the suitability of Gilestone Farm for intended future uses, had been concluded".
​

The Welsh government said it welcomed the review.
"It is clear from the review that the acquisition of Gilestone Farm followed the appropriate processes, was value for money and is clearly aligned to our economic ambitions," the spokesperson said.
"Due diligence work continues on Green Man's detailed and comprehensive business plan which will conclude in the coming weeks. 
"No final decision on the future of Gilestone Farm will be made until the due diligence process is complete."

Gilestone Farm – 
​Matters arising from the validation of the UVCG survey by Cllr Burdon, Advice from OVW and the notice agreed by all Councillors which was posted on the Community Councils Facebook page and website 
 
The Clerk was asked by the chair to explain the item.
Cllr. Burdon confirmed that the community poll organised  by UVCG was verified by himself.
Following this verification, the clerk received inquiries regarding the independence of the Community Council in relation to this matter.
These inquiries were being made due to the fact the UVCG had stated on their website that the poll had been verified by the Acting Chair of the Community Council, Cllr Burdon. 
 
Cllr. Burdon has explained that the verification was carried out in a personal capacity only and not in his capacity as a member of the council. The Community Council  at no time had given Cllr. Burdon the authority to undertake this action on behalf of the Community  Council. 
Following his explanation, advice was sought from OVW, who advised that a retraction needed to be issued confirming that Cllr Burdon had carried out this verification, not as a member of the council, but in  his own personal capacity as a private individual. 
After this discussion had taken place, Councillor Moorman asked what the council could do to address the fact that  the UVCG had also previously tried to  indicate that they were working with the Community Council. 
In order to clarify the fact that Council is not and has never been working with the UVCG against the Green Man at any point , either in the past or at present, a proposal was put forward seconded and unanimously  agreed,  to issue a public statement that “the Usk Valley Conservation Group keeps making statements that are not true, regarding the Community Council. The Clerk said that the  Community Council had not yet taken a decision concerning its  position relating to the Green Man, as it is still waiting for the business plan to be published and circulated. 
Only following the publication and review of this document by the Council will they  then make an informed decision on their position.
In addition, it was suggested that the statement should indicate that any persons or any organisations currently trying to suggest that they are working with the Council against the Green Man are in fact incorrect.
The  draft statement to be circulated to all Councillors for agreement prior to it being published on the Community Council Website and Facebook page. 
 
The Community Council awaits a date to meet with Welsh Government to discuss the business plan.