The Shropshire Council Cabinet met on Wednesday, 6 May 2026, to discuss and make decisions on several key strategic documents. The Cabinet recommended the draft Corporate Plan 2026-2030 to Council for approval and agreed to the Shropshire Domestic Abuse Partnership Strategy 2026-2029, also recommending its approval to Full Council. Additionally, the Cabinet agreed to commence the plan-making process for a new Local Plan, approving the publication of a timetable and associated consultation documents.

Shropshire Council Corporate Plan 2026/27-2030/31

The Cabinet considered and recommended the draft Corporate Plan 2026-2030 to Council for approval. The plan sets out the council's direction for the next four years, with a longer-term view of Shropshire's future, aiming to provide a basis for prioritisation, decision-making, policy development, and resource allocation. A key focus is financial sustainability, with the need to align delivery commitments to the council's financial position and acknowledge the potential impact on service standards. The Cabinet noted that a performance framework, including Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and key delivery commitments, will be developed and presented to Cabinet on 10th June 2026. This framework will provide a basis for reporting progress against priority outcomes and ensure alignment with the council's financial position and sustainability.

Shropshire Domestic Abuse Partnership Strategy

The Cabinet agreed to the Shropshire Domestic Abuse Partnership Strategy 2026-2029 and recommended its approval to Full Council. This strategy outlines the partnership's shared approach to reducing domestic abuse and improving outcomes for victims, children, and families over the next three years. Delivery of the strategy will be overseen by the Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board through an accompanying action plan, with regular monitoring and review by the Community Safety Partnership. The strategy is structured around four interconnected priorities: supporting victims, addressing perpetrators, strengthening the workforce, and engaging the community.

Local Plan – Notice of Intention to Commence Plan Making and Scoping Consultation

The Cabinet agreed to the publication of the Plan-Making Timetable and the Notice of Intention to Commence Plan Making for Shropshire's new Local Plan, which is scheduled to formally commence in September 2026 following a mandatory 'scoping' stage. They also agreed to the publication of the Local Plan Project Initiation Document (PID), including governance and decision-making arrangements. Furthermore, the Cabinet agreed to the publication of the Local Plan Scoping Document, Draft Community Hierarchy, Draft Site Identification and Assessment Methodology, and the SEA Screening Report for public consultation. Delegated responsibility was given for the preparation and consultation of an SEA/SA Scoping document and for agreeing the completion of Gateway 1 (Self-Assessment) to commence formal plan-making. The Cabinet also noted the Equalities, Social Inclusion and Health Impact Assessment (ESHIA) Stage One Screening Record.

The Local Plan will provide the vision, objectives, and long-term spatial strategy for Shropshire's sustainable development to 2046. The scoping consultation aims to gather stakeholder views on what the plan should contain and how engagement should be conducted, without defining future spatial strategies or site allocations at this early stage. The draft Community Hierarchy, a step towards defining a spatial strategy for growth distribution, will also be consulted upon. The Council has calculated the local housing need for Shropshire as 2,030 dwellings per annum, a significant increase from previous Local Plans. The process will involve multiple stages of consultation and independent examination to ensure the Local Plan is legally compliant and 'sound'.¹