Cymdeithas yr Iaith have condemned what they claim are disparaging comments made by Carmarthenshire Chief Executive Officer Mark James in an article advertising two new job opportunities at the County Council.

In a piece written for the Western Mail on Monday 6th of July Mark James says that he is looking for "strong, decisive and inspirational leaders with drive , political awareness and ability" to be recruited as Directors of Corporate Services and Environmental Services. His article makes no mention of communication skills in Welsh and English, and the the full job description ask for significantly lower standard of ability in Welsh than in English.

Cymdeithas  organiser in Dyfed Bethan  Williams commented
"By not seeking candidates who are equally fluent in Welsh and English, it is so obvious that Mark James is searching for people from outside Carmarthenshire to inspire the "locals", after cramming in a token amount of Welsh. Does it not occur to him that those most inspired by Carmarthenshire may well be those who have lived and worked here and served the people. His comments are derogatory towards Carmarthenshire, and this is part of a consistent pattern of not requiring senior officers to be able to communicate in Welsh. It certainly calls into question the Chief Exec's commitment to the language strategy of the county."