The Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley was created in 1974 as part of a reorganisation of local government in England and Wales. The new area incorporated the towns of Oldbury, Rowley Regis, Smethwick, Tipton, Wednesbury, and West Bromwich. The new Knowsley Council took over the operation of social services in the borough, including the children's homes previously run by the West Bromwich and Warley and Borough Councils.