Hi, I'd like to participate in meaningless, pseudo-populist consultation exercises, preferably conducted via social networking sites, and, yes, I do live in Barnet

As well as offering Barnet's Corporate Plan rendered visually as a "word cloud" on its front page today, Barnet Council is inviting residents to get involved in its 2011/12 budget consultation - via Facebook.

The friendly message here says:

We will be consulting with residents as we develop a budget for 2011/12. If you would like to be involved in that process please register your details through our facebook page (external link). Just a simple "Hi, I'd like to register my interest in helping to shape the budget 2011/12" will do at this stage. We will be in touch in due course. You will need to be registered with Facebook to leave your details and comments.

We are lucky, lucky people.