A COUNCIL watchdog will consider calls for a probe into the organisation in charge of Kirklees sports centres.

Kirklees Council’s overview and scrutiny management committee will decide on Tuesday if an investigation should be carried out into Kirklees Active Leisure.

Clr David Woodhead, a Liberal Democrat for Holme Valley North, asked the council for an inquiry after a series of revelations in the Examiner.

We revealed how KAL, which runs 10 centres and swimming pools, launched an investigation last year into a series of hospitality trips taken by senior staff.

Bosses went to Las Vegas and Italy on fact-finding jaunts paid for by businesses.

There were also allegations they had been on golfing days, motor racing trips, horse racing days, a clay pigeon shooting outing and rugby and football matches.

KAL’s investigation found the trips broke strict rules that ban staff from accepting corporate invitations which could be deemed extravagant or inappropriate.

Former chief executive Terry Meehan was suspended last year and later resigned.

But KAL has not confirmed that his departure was linked to the investigation into the junkets. Now Clr Woodhead wants to know what the relationship is between the council and KAL.

He also wants to know how the chief executive and senior managers are appointed, what the rules are on hospitality from clients and suppliers and what action was taken after the board was told about the junkets.

Clr Woodhead has asked what management arrangements were put in place after Mr Meehan’s suspension and what the financial consequences of his resignation were.

The scrutiny committee will decide if an investigation is merited.

If it decides one is necessary members will delegate the job of carrying it out to the relevant scrutiny panel.