Extension to Chair of the Lay Observers’ National Council term The Secretary of State has announced a 1 year extension to John Thornhill OBE’s tenure as Chair of the Lay Observers’ National Council. From: 10 May 2021 The Secretary of State has announced an extension to John Thornhill’s tenure as Chair of the Lay Observers’ National Council from 1 June 2021 until 31 May 2022. This appointment is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and the extension has been made in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. Lay Observers are unpaid public appointees appointed by the Secretary of State under the 1991 Criminal Justice Act. They inspect the conditions in which Detained Persons are transported or held by escort or custody contractors in England and Wales.