Our Background

PUSH was formed in 2003 and initially comprised of the two unitary authorities, the county council and four of the district councils. This expanded in 2004 to the eleven councils that are now members of PUSH in recognition of the value that can be gained in working collaboratively towards growing our local economy.

The partnership was solidified further when the then South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) commissioned the County and City Councils to provide advice on sub-regional aspects of the draft South East Plan. It was agreed this advice should be provided for South Hampshire under the banner of PUSH.

Advice to SEERA

Following the establishment of PUSH, the area of South Hampshire has been recognised as one of eight “Diamonds for Investment and Growth” identified in the Regional Economic Strategy prepared by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA). Furthermore, in October 2006, PUSH was selected by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) to be one of 29 “New Growth Points” in England. The New Growth Point initiative is designed to provide funding and support to local communities who wish to pursue large scale and sustainable growth, including new housing, through a partnership with Government.