A public affair

Perhaps Louis Robert might explain his assertion that arm's-length management organisations are private sector companies even though "wholly owned by councils" (4 June, page 32)?

Given that the courts regard large-scale voluntary transfer landlords (which are neither owned nor controlled by councils), as public sector bodies – at least for some purposes – this view appears questionable.

Does the relevant legislation specifically cover this point? If not, whether a body is public or private depends on the context.