The Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees was created in 1974 as part of a reorganisation of local government in England and Wales. The new area was centred on Huddersfield and took in a number of surrounding towns including Batley, Birstall, Cleckheaton, Denby Dale, Dewsbury, Heckmondwike, Holmfirth, Kirkburton, Marsden, Meltham, Mirfield and Slaithwaite. The new Kirklees Council took over the operation of social services in the borough, including the children's homes previously run by the West Yorkshire County Council and the Huddersfield and Dewsbury Borough Councils.