Stella was first elected to the Council in 1979. She has been Mayor twice, in 1988-89 and in 2000-01 and was also husband Trevor's Mayoress in 1982-3, 1992-3 and 2002-03.
She is a member of the Management and Planning and Environment Committees and chairs the Borough Gardens Panel. She also serves on the Arts and Traffic Panels.
Stella represents the Council on the Dorchester-Holbæk Society, St Osmund's Community Sports Centre Sub-Committee, the Thomas Hardye Leisure Centre Management Committee and the DTEP (Dorchester Transport and Environment Plan) Working Group. She is the town's Footpaths Liaison Officer.
She is also a member of the West Dorset District Council and has served on Dorset County Council in the past.