Kevin Mack and Anna Speedie were commenting after sending a joint letter to group spokesman Stuart Baker, who wanted a meeting to discuss lane fees being applied at the cities’ pools by contractor Aligned Leisure.

“While we respect your concerns, discussions commenced in July and are continuing with the contractor and representatives from the user groups using the aquatic facilities for the 2018-2019 season,” they wrote.

Cr Speedie said Aligned Leisure was meeting swimming and water polo groups.

“That’s who they have to work with, they hold the insurances, they hold the club memberships, that’s who we have to have the agreements with,” she said.

“This is ensuring we are talking to the right people who actually represent the memberships, not self-appointed.”

Cr Mack referred to the aquatics group’s Jack Baker in explaining the mayors’ rationale.

“The letter posed that question and neither Jack or his group addressed it: do you have the authority to act on their behalf?” Cr Mack said.

“They don’t.

“We’re more than happy to deal with whoever has the authority, we’re not avoiding them.”

Jack Baker admitted the aquatics group did not have written endorsement from swimming and water polo clubs to act on their behalf, however he expected that to change soon.

“We’re taking steps to ensure we’ve got the backing of both associations and we’ve also been applying for answers since a crisis meeting meeting close to a month ago and we’re acting on that,” Mr Baker said.

He thinks the mayors are using legitimacy concerns as a cloak to avoid tackling the pool fee fallout which saw a boycott threatened.

“I think any way the council can avoid dealing with the issue, they’ll take that option,” Mr Baker said.