Personally, I don't get the reluctance to feed pollen patties. If the bees have enough pollen they won't use the pollen patty, so...remove the patty if it is not being used, it won't harm anything having it remain in the hive as a safeguard. If there is bad weather and pollen outside that they could harvest if they could fly, then that could be terrible. No pollen coming in. No brood being raised (unless there are overwintered pollen reserves). Bee must have adequate proteins (pollen) to grow, develop the hypopharyngeal glands that produce the royal jelly that is mixed with honey and pollen and enzymes to feed the larvae. If the protein is not there, the bees cannot feed the larvae. Of course they have some reserve amounts in their bodies, but this will diminish. They can't feed the young, no spring building up.
Giving pollen patties is an assurance that the bees have adequate amount of pollen for brood rearing, in the event they do not have or can get enough on their own. It is a dice subject, I guess, to feed or not to feed. But I would not take any chances on having bad spring build up because I thought they had enough pollen. But then that is a personal choice, and I am strong to voice certain of my own opinions. That is known. Have a great day, full of thoughts and so many lessons yet to learn, this is me, on a quest for knowledge. Cindi