136.Section 38 places a requirement on a relevant authority (being a local authority or fire authority, as defined by section 43(1)) to prepare, annually, a statement setting out the authority’s policies on the remuneration of its chief officers, the remuneration of its lowest paid employees and the relationship between the remuneration of its chief officers and the remuneration of its employees who are not chief officers. Chief officers are the most senior officers of the authority. Authorities are required to state the definition of lowest paid employees they have adopted in the statement, and explain the reasons for adopting that particular definition. The statement may also set out the authority’s policies relating to other terms and conditions applying to chief officers. In preparing its statement, the authority must have regard to any guidance issued or approved by the Secretary of State (if an English authority) or Welsh Ministers (if a Welsh authority) (see section 40).