The Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale was created in 1974 as part of a reorganisation of local government in England and Wales. The new area incorporated six former local government districts taking in the towns of Brighouse, Elland, Halifax, Hebden Bridge, Sowerby Bridge and Todmorden. The new Calderdale Council took over the running of social services in the borough, including the operation of children's homes previously run by the West Yorkshire County Council and the Halifax Borough Council.