[7][8] 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.
[10] The LCC architects were key innovators, with the guaranteed salary and relative anonymity allowing them to develop experimental designs without risk to income or the stigma of failure.
The LCC architects department also provided research funding, including for the Survey of London, and had in-house testing and development teams.
[10] Once closed, a local authority is highly unlikely to revive an architects department and will instead rely on outsourcing to private firms.