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THE NEW MILLENNIUM
One of Eaton’s principal concerns at that time was that several Member Countries’
fees had increased significantly in recent years. This had arisen not only due to planned
revenue requirements but was also the result of currency changes in many countries.
Traditionally the method of determining fees was based on the amount of direct steel
consumption in each Member Country. Eaton considered that this method was problematic
because of the high proportionate values for some countries which had the potential to
affect future membership subscriptions.
4
Subsequent changes to the fee structure failed to
arrest this continuing problem and, at the time of the 1995 budget mentioned previously,
nine Member Countries were substantially in arrears.
Following Costa completing his term as Treasurer, Mr Bevan
Braithwaite (UK) accepted the offer to take over as the new Treasurer in
September 1996. In the interim, Bramat had become increasingly concerned
at the escalating costs of restructuring and had decided to suspend payments
to TWI for the salary of Hicks, in consideration of the fact that he was
also being remunerated by the Institut de Soudure.
5
This
issue was taken up by Braithwaite at his first meeting
as IIW Treasurer and he indicated that the principle
of having these costs reimbursed was part of the
original offer made by TWI when bidding for the
single IIW Secretariat. He made it clear that the costs
corresponded to what had being paid to the
former IIW Secretary General for a contract
that had been already approved and could not
be breached, at least until well after the Institut
de Soudure took over the responsibility for
the IIW Secretariat.
6
After detailed discussion
it was agreed that TWI should be reimbursed
for their costs resulting from the merging of
the two Secretariats.
Braithwaite, characteristically was a down-to-earth sort of person and had a deep
interest in the restoration of old steam engines, including the renowned
Flying Scotsman
, a
model of which had a significant place in his office at TWI. He was also a qualified Class 1
welder and a world authority on fatigue strength of structures.
7
He was an astute observer
and was quick to express himself directly on occasions. When Bramat explained why it was
not possible to present a financial statement for the year 1996 he was far from impressed.
The reasons offered for this, as Bramat explained, were numerous including the change-
over from the previous bookkeeping system, issues regarding French law, devaluation of the
Bevan Braithwaite