A planning district commission may cooperate with other planning district commissions, councils of governments, or the legislative and administrative bodies and officials of other districts or localities within or outside a district, so as to coordinate the planning, development and services of a district with the plans and services of other districts and localities and the Commonwealth. A planning district commission may appoint committees and adopt rules to effect such cooperation. A planning district commission shall also cooperate with the Department of Housing and Community Development and use advice and information furnished by such Department and by other state and federal officials, departments and agencies. Such Department and such officials, departments and agencies having information, maps and data pertinent to the planning and development of a district may make the material, together with services and funds, available for use of a planning district commission. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall notify the Department of Housing and Community Development prior to engaging in planning activities which will require planning district commission participation. State agencies are encouraged to consult with planning district commissions in the development of regional plans and services and for data collection.