The meeting of Surrey Council included discussion of the Surrey Youth Justice Plan 2025/26, questions from councillors to cabinet members, and briefings from cabinet members. Councillors were also scheduled to discuss the minutes from previous meetings of the council and the cabinet.

Surrey Youth Justice Plan

The council was scheduled to consider the Surrey Youth Justice Plan 2025/26. The plan was designed to address youth crime in Surrey, and was based on the following principles:

• Prioritising prevention and early intervention
• Diversion of young people from the formal justice system
• Child first approach
• Trauma informed practice
• Partnership working
• Evidence based practice

The plan included performance measures such as a reduction in first time entrants to the youth justice system, a reduction in the number of re-offending incidents, and improved outcomes for young people in the youth justice system, particularly in the areas of education, training and employment.

The report pack stated that the plan was developed in consultation with a range of stakeholders, including young people, families, and professionals from across Surrey.

Council Member Questions and Cabinet Member Briefings

The meeting included time for questions from councillors to cabinet members, and briefings from cabinet members. The questions and answers were published in a document called Council Member Questions and Responses - 14 October 2025. The briefings were published in a document called Cabinet Member Briefings - 14 October 2025.

Councillor Jonathan Essex, The Green Party Group Leader, asked a question about the provision of free school meals during school holidays. Councillor Jonathan Hulley, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning, responded that the council was committed to supporting vulnerable families during the school holidays, and that free school meals would be provided to eligible children.

Councillor Robert Evans OBE, Labour & Labour Co-operative Group Leader, asked a question about the council's plans to address the rising cost of living. Councillor David Lewis, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, responded that the council was working to support residents through a range of measures, including providing financial advice and support, and working with local partners to provide access to affordable food and energy.

Councillor Paul Follows, Liberal Democrats Group Leader, asked a question about the council's plans to address climate change. Councillor Marisa Heath, Cabinet Member for Environment, responded that the council was committed to tackling climate change, and that a range of measures were being taken to reduce the council's carbon footprint and support residents to live more sustainably.

Approval of Minutes

The council was scheduled to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8 July 2025. The minutes included a statement from Tim Oliver OBE, Leader of the Council.