Wessex

After over 20 years service to the Wessex IRRV Branch, our Treasurer handed over the reins at the 2024 AGM.

He was awarded a Long Service Award by the IRRV and is pictured receiving his award with IRRV National President Nick Rowe and Wessex Branch President George Draper - Good luck in your retirement Pat!

Below is a copy of the branches leaving speech:

Today, we bid adieu to Pat Lane, the unsung hero of housing benefits bureaucracy.   

Pat’s journey began at Lloyds Bank, where they probably handed out calculators like party favours. But Pat had bigger dreams — like, “I want to gaze at government forms” big. So, he joined Purbeck District Council in 1983, ready to tackle red tape like a boss.  

Picture this: Pat, in his prime, rocking an unmatching shirt and tie combo due to his colour blindness, that screams, “I’m here to optimise your benefit entitlement!”   

He started in the Creditors and Payroll Section, where he single-handedly solved the mystery of the missing stapler.  

Then came the Benefits Section. Pat strutted in, clipboard in hand, ready to revolutionise welfare checks. He’d shuffle papers, adjust his reading glasses, and mutter, “Ah, yes, deprivation of capital — essential for calculating housing benefits.”   

But wait, there’s more! In 1992, Pat ascended to the coveted role of Benefits Manager. Imagine the power — the authority — the ability to approve non recoverable housing benefit decisions without even glancing at them. Pat’s motto? “If it’s near enough, it’s good enough.”  

Fast-forward to the new Westwey Partnership in 2010. Pat survived the bureaucratic Hunger Games, emerging as the Business Development Manager. His secret weapon? 

Award submissions. Pat could turn a mundane application form into a Shakespearean tragedy: “To claim or not to claim, that is the question.”  

At Westwey, Pat was the Co-ordinator of the IRRV Dorset Training Centre, ensuring trainees mastered the art of paperclip origami. He’d say, “Listen up, rookies! This paperclip represents your career aspirations — don’t bend it out of shape!”  

In 1992, Pat aced the IRRV Technician exams. The crowd went wild (well, as wild as revenues and benefits officers get). He even studied at the Southampton Institute—because nothing says “party central” like a library basement.  

After a study break (which involved deciphering DWP hieroglyphics), Pat achieved full professional certification in 2003. Legend has it he celebrated with a verification framework themed cake. 

And now, as Pat’s final IRRV meeting comes full circle here in Southampton, we raise our highlighters in salute. Farewell, Pat Lane — the unsung hero, the HB subsidy sorcerer, the master of bureaucracy. May your retirement be filled with endless Sudoku puzzles, sitting on the beach and alcoholic dreams!  

Thank you for your service to the branch and the institute. 

The AGM took place on 5 July 2024. Details of the elected executive members may be found on the officers page: IRRV Associations

This event was kindly sponsored by:

Ascendant Solutions : Ascendant Solutions | Data Management | Doncaster

Bristow & Sutor : Bristow & Sutor | Council Tax, PCN & Non Domestic Rate Debt Collection (bristowsutor.co.uk)

GL Hearn : GL Hearn | Home

Jacobs Enforcement: Certificated Enforcement and Revenue Collection | Jacobs Enforcement

Marston Recovery : Marston recovery - Marston Holdings

Telsolutions : Telsolutions: your proactive and innovative customer communications…

Whyte & Co : Whyte & Co Certificated Enforcement Agents