You can't and it's better to owe the council than some loan shark. How much can you afford each week for a loan? Let's call it X. Pay X to the council each week they will recognise that you are trying to pay and you will not be penalised by astronimical interest. Or save X each week and pay the council when you have enough. It will take months of correspondence before the council take any action and you will have paid by then. Never ever ever borrow to pay a bill. The last thing you need is a loan at a zillion percent.