Banana Republic

We're talking architecture and buildings in Brum with a former planning committee chairman Peter Douglas Osborn and former conservation and heritage panel chair Fiona Williams. Their concerns include that designs are increasingly generic - they want distinctive buildings like the Library of Birmingham and Selfridges.For back groundHere's some plans currently on the drawing board And here's some details of buildings we've discussedLibrary of Birmingham Natwest TowerRingway Centre Smallbrook QueenswayBirmingham Central LibrarySoho House MuseumIcknield Port Loop For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Ahead of a debate next week two Birmingham politicians argue that creative subjects like art, music, drama and design are being downgraded, with classes and teachers being withdrawn from schools. Musician Liz Clements and artist Olly Armstrong are tabling a debate on the issue to Birmingham City Council next week. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Birmingham City Council leader Ian Ward and deputy Brigid Jones faced questions from BirminghamLive readers. We get the ones we expected, plus a couple of surprises - Birmingham's nightlife anyone? Apologies to those who already saw this. Normal service will be resumed next week. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

They were both campaigners and pressure group activists, but now the Green Party's Julien Pritchard and Conservative Suzanne Webb find themselves newly elected councillors. They share their hopes, fears and ambitions as they begin a new chapter in their political careers in Birmingham. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Birmingham Live correspondent Neil Elkes and former councillor Ian Cruise take a look at last week's city council election result in Birmingham. There's much to discuss as 101 seats were filled, including a few surprises. Ian offers his insight as someone who quit Birmingham's ruling Labour group to go independent. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

This episode has a brief preview of the local election, followed by a chat with Birmingham's joint newest councillor Morriam Jan. Just 12 months after her first election victory she is fighting another. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

In conversation with Gino Bellavia who is explains what Liquid Democracy is and why people like him are frustrated with party politics and looking to shake things up.We covered his selection here. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

After fighting to get elected how have two young councillors fared on the backbenches. Has it been worth it and what can you achieve as a young politician in Birmingham. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy