Youth under 18 years of age won't be required to obtain a business licence for their small enterprises and an amendment is coming to formalize the decision by town council last night.

Councillor Morgan Nagel's anticipated motion came forward last night after consulting with Drew Hyndman, senior manager of development services, that called for minors to be exempt from the recently amended town business licence bylaw.

Even before this new bylaw, minors were in fact required to purchase such a licence, says Nagel, but it was never enforced as far as he knows. He saw no value in having the requirement in place if it isn't enforced and also believes it wasn't required to start with.

Nagel says nearby municipalities, including Okotoks, Strathmore and Chestermere all have bylaws that exempt youth from paying a licence fee.

Some parents, though, have indicated they think it's a valuable exercise for youth to obtain a business licence to educate them on the realities of doing business. This option is still available for those interested.

The issue arose during discussions on major revisions to the business licence bylaw and Nagel voiced his objection to charging the fee to youth. He also questioned the need to charge buskers and that portion of the bylaw has since been amended.

"To me, there's something wrong with that picture," said Nagel in mid-May. "If kids want to be running these small cash operations, learn how to work, help their neighbours, I think this is something we shouldn't have the Town of Cochrane involved in."

Council gave unanimous support to his motion.