A CARMARTHENSHIRE driving instructor was four times over the limit on his way to a driving lesson.

Timothy Howells, aged 54, of Burry Port Carmarthenshire has been given an 8 week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months following his arrest on suspicion of drink driving.

At around 7:38am on Friday, February 20, police received a report of a single vehicle collision on the A484 between Pembrey to Kidwelly, where a car was found in a roadside ditch.

The driver, Timothy Howells, a local driving instructor, appeared heavily intoxicated to officers and provided an initial roadside breath test reading of 110 and was arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

A short time later while in custody, Howells provided a second evidential breath test reading of 132 – four times over the limit.

In interview, Howells admitted that when he was arrested by officers, he was on his way to collect a pupil for a driving lesson.

After appearing in Llanelli Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Howells has been given an 8 week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months.

Chief Inspector Christina Fraser said: “Mr Howells was operating in a position of great trust and responsibility; Roads Policing officers have worked quickly in conjunction with colleagues, CPS and the DVSA, to ensure learner drivers and other road users have been safeguarded from an individual who presented a serious risk of harm.”

Firms remain positive but optimism weakens compared to UK average

BUSINESS confidence in Wales fell slightly during February, with firms reporting lower optimism about both their own performance and the wider economy.

The latest Business Barometer from Lloyds shows overall confidence in Wales dropped three points to 29%, compared with 32% in January. This contrasts with the UK picture, where confidence remained unchanged at 44%.

Companies reported reduced confidence in their own trading prospects, down three points to 35%, while optimism in the broader economy fell five points to 22%.

Despite the dip, many Welsh businesses said they are continuing to pursue growth plans over the next six months. The top priorities identified were investing in staff through training (71%), developing new products or services (52%), and entering new markets (29%).

The monthly Business Barometer surveys around 1,200 businesses across the UK and has been running since 2002, providing an early indicator of economic trends.

Across the UK, confidence in firms’ own trading prospects fell six points to 53%, although optimism about the wider economy rose eight points to 36%. London recorded the highest regional confidence in February at 59%, followed by the North West and Northern Ireland, both at 58%.

Sector results were mixed. Construction saw a significant rise in confidence, up 14 points to 60%, while manufacturing increased five points to 37%. Retail and service sector confidence dipped slightly, down two and three points respectively.

Nathan Morgan, area director for Wales at Lloyds, said businesses in Wales remain focused on growth despite short-term uncertainty.

He said: “While business confidence dipped this month, we know Welsh businesses are continuing to press ahead with their growth strategies. Whether their plans are to upskill their teams, enter new markets or diversify product and service offerings, we’ll continue to be ready to provide our support.”

Hann-Ju Ho, senior economist at Lloyds Commercial Banking, said the wider economic outlook appeared to be stabilising.

He said: “It’s encouraging to see optimism in the wider economy returning, although with a small reduction in firms’ confidence in their own trading prospects. The majority of the survey results were collected following the Bank of England’s close decision to hold interest rates at its February meeting, signalling potential easing ahead, which may have alleviated business concerns, including those around cost pressures.

“The rise in pricing expectations to a six-month high may indicate firms are looking to rebuild their margins in 2026. It’s also great to see confidence increase for manufacturers and construction firms as they are key for UK growth.”

Confusion grows over decision-making as concerns mount about future of local hospital services

QUESTIONS over who ultimately decides the future of NHS services in west Wales are becoming increasingly prominent as uncertainty continues around proposals affecting hospitals including Withybush and Bronglais.

With public concern rising, political debate intensifying, and a petition attracting thousands of signatures, many residents are asking a simple question: who is actually responsible for decisions that could reshape healthcare across the region?

The answer is complex — but responsibility does not sit in just one place.

Welsh Government Ministers hold overall responsibility for the NHS in Wales because health is devolved to Cardiff Bay. The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care sets national policy, determines funding allocations and has the power to intervene in major service reconfiguration proposals. While Ministers often emphasise that local health boards manage delivery, they remain politically accountable to the Senedd for NHS performance and outcomes across the country.

At a regional level, Hywel Dda University Health Board is responsible for planning and delivering services across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. The health board manages hospitals including Withybush, Glangwili and Bronglais, oversees staffing and budgets, and develops proposals for service changes. It is the body that produces consultation documents and makes operational decisions, but it does so within financial and strategic frameworks set by Welsh Government.

Public consultation exercises play an important role in shaping proposals, but they do not determine the final outcome. Feedback gathered from residents, clinicians and stakeholders is considered by the health board before decisions are taken. In some circumstances, proposals may be referred to Welsh Ministers for approval or intervention, particularly if there is significant controversy or political concern.

Members of the Senedd, including local representatives, scrutinise decisions and raise constituent concerns, but they do not directly control NHS services unless they are part of the Welsh Government. Opposition politicians can apply pressure and influence debate, but executive authority ultimately rests with Ministers and the health board.

The shared nature of responsibility has led to frustration among some residents, who feel accountability is unclear when services face potential change. Health boards point to funding constraints and national policy requirements, while Welsh Government often emphasises that operational decisions are taken locally.

In practice, both levels of the system play critical roles. Health boards design and implement plans, while Welsh Government sets the strategic direction and retains the power to intervene if necessary.

Concerns about healthcare provision in west Wales have intensified in recent months amid wider debate about NHS performance, waiting times and access to services. Political disagreements have also sharpened ahead of the Senedd elections scheduled for 2026.

For patients and communities, however, the central issue remains access to safe and timely care close to home — regardless of where responsibility ultimately lies.

The Herald has asked Welsh Government and Hywel Dda University Health Board for comment on decision-making processes relating to potential service changes affecting west Wales.