Government requires neighbouring local authorities to agree Statements of Common Ground in order to demonstrate effective and on-going joint working by strategic plan-making authorities. The statements should identify any strategic cross-boundary matters and document the cooperation between plan making authorities in addressing any such issues.

Shropshire Council is reviewing its local plan and will submit it to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government for examination in the near future. Discussions have been ongoing between officers of Shropshire and Herefordshire Councils and it is concluded that there are no strategic cross boundary issues to address. However, the SOCG sets out the commitment to continue to work together as the Local Plans progress to adoption. A further SOCG will be required as the Herefordshire Local Plan review is developed.