TRIBUTES have been paid to a former senior civil servant who ‘revolutionised Jersey’s social security system’.
John Lees, controller of social security for 23 years, died last month at the age of 93.
When Mr Lees was interviewed for the post in 1970, he was told that the brief was to implement an updated social security and family allowance system, introduce disability benefits, computerise the system, build new premises and negotiate reciprocal agreements with other countries.
Following his retirement in January 1993, he could justifiably claim to have delivered each objective.
Jurat Paul Nicolle, who became head of benefits at social security under Mr Lees, paid tribute to him, stating that ‘the Jersey social security system as we know it today is largely based on the revolution that he instituted’.
Prior to entering the civil service, Mr Lees served as an officer in the Royal Navy, which included a four-year spell in Whitehall as assistant-secretary to the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff and Fifth Sea Lord and a year at the Royal Naval Staff College in Greenwich.
He joined the civil service in 1965, and one of his early tasks was to establish the Jersey lottery.
He then spent four years as chief officer of the Island Development Committee, before being appointed controller of social security.
The framework governing social security benefits was significantly changed during his tenure, with a new system of family allowances implemented in 1972, and benefits for disabled people and their carers introduced.
But the most significant change Mr Lees oversaw was the enactment of the 1974 Social Security Law. It replaced the previous system of collecting contributions on an annual basis using stamps, and introduced a new earnings-related system which required quarterly returns to be submitted.
This was a major change for employers and the self-employed but, by early 1975, Mr Lees was able to confirm that the new scheme was already working well.
He also oversaw the design and construction of new premises for the department, with Philip Le Feuvre House opening in July 1980, and the roll-out of the department’s first computers.
Mr Lees was a popular and well-respected chief officer, known for always supporting his staff.
Former assistant controller Dennis O’Callaghan recalled how Mr Lees regularly toured the department to speak to employees and hear their concerns.
Mr O’Callaghan said: ‘He held regular briefings for all staff to inform us of what he and the committee were working on, and this made us feel valued and was well received.’
Jurat Nicolle has similar memories.
‘I had immense respect for him. He was a very intelligent man and was undoubtedly one of the best chief officers I ever worked with.
‘He was a great communicator and it was really excellent to see the way he kept staff up-to-date with issues.’
Mr Lees also travelled widely during his time in office to negotiate reciprocal agreements with other countries, including those with France and Portugal that have benefited many hundreds of Islanders.
Following his retirement he spent a number of years as an employee representative on the management committee of the public employees’ pension scheme, where he gained a reputation for vigorously defending pension rights.
Outside work he was a keen sailor and enjoyed spending time at the house he owned in Brittany.
