In what I think is the first move of its kind in UK local government (although please correct me if I’m wrong!), from today I will be taking on the role of Social Media Manager at the London Borough of Barnet. Initially on a two day a week six month basis, I am joining the Communications and Consultation Team to scope out and implement the council’s Social Media Strategy.

As the creation of this role suggests, Barnet is increasingly taking a leading role in redefining the relationship and ways of interacting between local government and its citizens, concentrating not only on improving more formal communication and consultation exercises but more importantly the quality of conversation between the council and the people it serves. Having recently been rated an “excellent” council, Barnet sees itself as having a unique opportunity to take on this challenge and move into a new and exciting space.

The concepts behind online social networking and the social media lie centrally to their thinking. Barnet recognises these tools as key in enabling the council to hold more meaningful, pro-active and real-time conversations on an on-going basis. Clearly this represents a seismic shift in thinking, providing new channels through which Barnet’s politicians and public servants will be able to enter into enriched conversations with their customers around the challenges and opportunities facing Barnet.

While there are certainly some pifalls ahead to be avoided, there is no doubt in my mind that the opportunities and benefits this approach will bring to the London Borough of Barnet far outweigh the risks.

Interested to see how this develops? Well watch this space!