Freedom of Information Request for Details of Correspondence Relating to Richard Mccarthy

04 November 2011

Our Ref: F0005252 John Smith [email protected] (Via email)

Dear John,

Freedom of information request for details of correspondence relating to Richard McCarthy’s leaving from DCLG and appointment to Capita Symonds.

I am writing in response to your email of 11 October 2011 requesting information about Richard McCarthy, Director General for Neighbourhoods, leaving DCLG to take up a post with Capita Symonds. Your request was received by the Department for Communities and Local Government on 12 October 2011.

Your request in full was:

“Dear Department for Communities and Local Government, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/hands-off-our-land/8795758/Hands-Off-Our-Land- top-civil-servant-lands-planning-job.html

Richard McCarthy is leaving your department to take up an appointment with Capita Symonds. In a recent press article (link above) it was reported that "Mr McCarthy said he looked forward to 'cementing' his new employer’s reputation as a leader in the property industry and that he was 'head-hunted at the start of this year' for the role".

The Civil Service Management Code (CSMC Chapter 4.3, Annex A and Annex B) states that "serving civil servants must report to their line manager any approach from an outside employer with an offer of an appointment or employment for which approval would be required under the Rules if they plan to follow up the offer. Staff engaged in the letting or management of Government contracts must report all offers of an appointment or employment immediately to their line manager whether or not they intend to follow them up."

Please provide:

(1) all correspondence relating to Mr McCarthy's notification to his civil service employer, required by the CSMC, advising DCLG that he had been approached earlier this year by Capita Symonds with a potential offer of employment; and

Department for Communities and Local Government Eland House Bressenden Place LONDON SW1E 5DU

(2) any correspondence detailing actions taken by the Permanent Secretary, or other senior managers in DCLG, to ensure that Capia Symonds would not gain an improper advantage through offering Mr McCarthy future employment whilst he was still in Crown service, or gain any advantage later once his employment with them begins.

Yours faithfully,

John Smith”

Your request has been considered under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

I confirm that The Department for Communities and Local Government holds the information that you have requested.

Correspondence relating to Richard McCarthy’s notification to his Civil Service employer that he had been approached with an offer of employment

During the period from February 2011 to May 2011, Richard advised the Permanent Secretary, Sir Bob Kerslake, verbally that he was in exploratory discussions with a small number of external organisations. There is no requirement that notifications such as this be submitted in writing.

In June 2011 Richard received a formal offer from Capita Symonds and advised the Permanent Secretary. The Permanent Secretary then commenced the process of engagement with the Cabinet Office and Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA).

Correspondence relating to actions taken by the Permanent Secretary, or other senior managers in DCLG, to ensure that Capita Symonds would not gain an improper advantage through offering Richard McCarthy future employment

The Permanent Secretary submitted a completed Business Appointments Application Form to ACOBA on 29th July 2011.

ACOBA replied to the Permanent Secretary on 21st September 2011.

Please see the attached correspondence which provides further background on this action.

Annex A contains the response by ACOBA on 21st September 2011, who considered the application from Richard McCarthy and approved it on several conditions.

Further information

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Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted this Department’s Internal Review procedure. The Information Commissioner‘s address and contact details are set out in the above leaflet.

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Yours sincerely,

Alex Rimmer