the role was once widespread with many counties, cities and other local authorities employing their own architect to design public works. council architects acted as designer, client and regulator for their authority, and having significant buying power, they were able to influence suppliers to accommodate their requirements. they worked closely with the council planning department, with whom they were often co-located. in 1953, the london county council (lcc) employed more than 1,500 people within its architects department.