The council's central and corporate scrutiny board – a watchdog body – decided to hold an inquiry following a complaint from representatives of The Friends of Woodhouse Moor.

Mr Tony Paley-Smith, of the group, told board members that the moor had suffered neglect and mismanagement in recent years and only implementation of the city's park bylaws could protect it.

Bylaw enforcement was an issue raised during the recent controversy sparked by the council's plan for a barbecue area on part of the moor.

There is a bylaw prohibiting barbecues in the park but during the public consultation into the barbecue area proposal, the council argued that the bylaw was proving difficult to enforce because of the large number of barbecues taking place on warm days.

Mr Richard Hellawell, of the friends group, said: "I find it staggering I am asking the council to enforce its own bylaws.

"I would have thought that's something it would do as a matter of course."

Board members agreed a scrutiny inquiry should be held on a date to be fixed and officials from the council's Leisure Services will be asked to give evidence.

Coun John Bale (Con, Guiseley & Rawdon) said he felt the case for a scrutiny inquiry had been overwhelmingly made.

He said: "I am not suggesting those responsible for enforcing the law should be rushing to fine people when a warning might be more suitable but if they continue to break the law you enforce it in the interests of the public."

Coun Andrea McKenna (Lab, Garforth & Swillington) said: "We have enforcement where litter dropping in the city centre is concerned so what's happening here on the moor? We need to know."