There were farcical scenes in Solihull's council chamber as a row over how motions are dealt with led to pleas for more professionalism.

Councillors regularly submit and bring motion to establish Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's (SMBC) position on a topic at full council meetings.

And it is not uncommon these meetings are halted for councillors to discuss submitted amendments in an attempt to find common ground, cross party, to get them passed.

At the latest full council meeting, which featured an hour long debate over the authority's draft local plan, four motions were submitted and dealt with in the third hour of the meeting.

Two of the motions, submitted after the summer wildfires, were combined and amended which caused confusion.

And the other two, on planning changes and anti-social behaviour, also saw amendments submitted on the night.

Introducing the final motion, tackling anti-social behaviour involving illegal off-road motorcycles and quad bikes, Liberal Democrat Councillor Paul McCabe said: "Residents across Solihull are increasingly concerned about the use of off road motorcycles and quad bikes."

But Cllr Kathryn Thomas, who was seconding the motion, said: "We need to talk about (it) – there have been a number of amendments."

Cllr McCabe explained: "Reform UK have submitted an amendment we have agreed on.

"Also, we have spoken to the Conservatives – I haven't had full confirmation, I'm not sure where we stand. I'm not sure what the Conservatives are going to submit."

It was also confirmed the Green group had submitted an amendment to the motion.

Mayor Cllr Sardul Marwa, chairing the meeting asked: "You want to have five minutes, to have a talk about it come to a conclusion?"

"I do appreciate it, thank you," Cllr McCabe replied.

Conservative Councillor James Johnson then said: "It is very unhelpful to submit substantial changes to motions at the last minute like this.

"Can we please avoid this in the future?

"We all know each other's contact details, meet each other beforehand, thrash it out and we can come forward to the chamber and have a meaningful discourse, rather than chaos and confusion."

Cllr Paul McCabe said: "Can I just point out it was councillor Johnson's conservative colleague that submitted the late amendment," which brought laughter among members.

Reform UK Councillor Alan Feeney added: "I wonder whether this is something governance needs to look at because it has been, well I'm interested to know what words the press will use to describe this.

"In Birmingham (council) if your amendment to a motion is not in two hours in advance it does not get put forward.

"I wonder if we need to just look at how these things go so we can transact our business a little more professionally and in advance of time."

The chairman allowed a break where councillors huddled for talks but after 10 minutes he was calling councillors back to their seats saying he had given enough time.

Cllr McCabe said: "We have just discussed it is going to be referred to scrutiny so it can be thrashed out properly and everybody can have their say, come back and hopefully agree something."

Councillors voted unanimously to send the motion to the Stronger Communities and Neighbourhood Services Scrutiny Board.

The meeting, which began at 5pm and lasted over four-and-a-half hours, was held at the Civic Suite on October 6.